Shloka 69
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
ततः शतसहस््राणि शराणां नतपर्वणाम् | युगपत् प्रापतंस्तत्र द्रोणस्प रथमन्तिकात्
tataḥ śatasahasrāṇi śarāṇāṃ nataparvaṇām | yugapat prāpatāṃs tatra droṇasya ratham antikāt ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Alors, d’un seul coup, cent mille flèches—chacune aux jointures recourbées—tombèrent là, près du char de Droṇa. Quand Arjuna, manieur du Gāṇḍīva, déchaîna sur Droṇa cette averse sans répit, un grand cri d’alarme et de désarroi s’éleva parmi les soldats kaurava.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata insight: in war, technical mastery and decisive action can instantly shift collective morale. It also cautions that power displayed without restraint can generate widespread fear—an ethical reminder that strength carries responsibility even within kṣatriya warfare.
Arjuna, wielding the Gāṇḍīva, releases an overwhelming volley—described as a hundred thousand arrows—falling near Droṇa’s chariot. The intensity of this attack triggers panic and loud outcry among the Kaurava troops.